Wednesday, April 18, 2012

The Teachings of Jesus the Basis for Capitalism? Another Way NOT to Use the Bible

Wow, all I can say is wow.

I can’t believe this man is using
Mark 10:45 in this way. I realize that
this is a short clip and that there is certainly more to it. But the
statement made by this gentleman is just plain wrong. He has interpreted Jesus’
lifestyle of being a servant and serving others as business model. No, sir, capitalism is NOT built on the teachings of Jesus.

Here are some other economic models from the Bible he might
consider.

Acts 4:32 All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one
claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything
they had. 33 With great power the apostles continued to testify to
the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God's grace was so powerfully at work
in them all 34 that there were no needy persons among them. For from
time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from
the sales 35 and put it at the apostles' feet, and it was
distributed to anyone who had need. (TNIV)

2 Corinthians 8 And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about
the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. 2 In the midst
of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled
up in rich generosity. 3 For I testify that they gave as much as
they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, 4
they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to
the Lord's people. 5 And they went beyond our expectations; having
given themselves first of all to the Lord, they gave themselves by the will of
God also to us. (TNIV)

2 Corinthians 9 Remember this:
Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously
will also reap generously. 7 Each of you should give what you have
decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God
loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to bless you abundantly,
so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound
in every good work. 9 As it is written: "They have scattered
abroad their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever." 10
Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and
increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness.
11 You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on
every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to
God. 12 This service that you perform is not only supplying the
needs of the Lord's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of
thanks to God. (TNIV)

3 comments:

This is exactly why Marx concluded that religion is "the opium of the people." People seem to have no problem justifying their own ideological assumptions as God-given structures. In so doing they no longer have to face the possibility that their structures are indeed oppressive and are in need of being addressed. No matter what economic structure we find ourselves ascribing to we must be willing to not be blinded by our ideologies. If this happens then we will always think that our structure is the God-given one and all others are primitive and naive. If we were to really take the Scriptures seriously then the "already but not yet" aspect of the kingdom of God reminds us that whatever we think about our own structures they are not to be epitomized. Oh... and in case you were wondering I'm not a socialist.

NONE of those verses has a government or a leader or a group of leaders compelling people to give their possessions. All of those verses are acts of charity. Those acts were voluntary, not compulsory. DO NOT confuse charity with communism/socialism. One has nothing to do with the other.Communism/socialism or Marxism is atheistic. Carl Marx, Engels, etc. are about as far as you can get from anyone who has any regard for the Bible.The eighth and tenth commandments which are foundational to the Bible explicitly refer to situations where private property is to be protected, not confiscated by tyrants.